According to the Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), women and girls in Nigeria are subjected to violence in their homes, hence the group organised a town hall meeting in Ikotun to sensitise community members on the child rights law.
Speaking on behalf of the group’s founder, Bose Ironsi, Nneoma Ezuma said that “Statistics shows that children between the ages of 15 to 18 are more vulnerable to sexual and gender based violence, hence every child should be protected from indecent and inhuman treatment. Such violence include physical abuse, sexual abuse, starvation amongst others. Child abusers should be reprimanded and brought to book. “ She further advised the participants to report cases of violence to Ireti Resource Centre which is the group’s counselling unit.
Some of the attendees at the event affirmed that they were impacted by the lectures. Ajayi Habibat said the event had impacted her to change her ways, “I have learnt a lot from this meeting and I want to change my attitude towards children. Sometimes I see domestic violence in my neighbourhood but it is difficult to report because a lot of people will see you as a bad person. But now, whenever I see anyone violating a child, I will advise them to stop and also let them know that if they don’t, there are agencies that will bring them book .”
Elizabeth Akpan said she learnt the importance of taking care of house-helps. “Let them have access to good food and education as much as your own children. You never can tell, they may be the ones to help you in future. If you did not treat them well when they were with you, how do you expect them to react?”
The sensitisation programme is part of the group’s effort to increase access to justice related services for GBV survivors in Alimosho Local government
